Alphabet Inc (NASDAQ:GOOGL) is open sourcing a cloud-based machine learning platform that it says will allow developers to make good use of its neural networks. The platform comes with a good chunk of artificial intelligence technology. By making the platform accessible for free, the tech giant is hoping to differentiate its cloud service from rivals amidst fierce competition.

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Tools on Offer

Alphabet is using the platform to go beyond offering storage space with its cloud business. In a bid to be more competitive the tech giant will provide the necessary tools for analyzing large amounts of data. Phasing out the need for human programming is the primary goal with the platform. The platform is designed to make it easy for developers and firms to analyze large data sets within the shortest time.

Application programming interfaces (APIs) able to carry out automatic image identification speech recognition and language translation are also on offer with the platform. The machine learning platform is powered by Google’s TensorFlow neural network software. It is the same software that is currently offering Cloud Speech API and Cloud Translate API.

The smart cloud platform is already attracting interest. Home Depot Inc (NYSE:HD), Spotify, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) among others having started to leverage its capabilities. Alphabet’s executive chairman Eric Schmidt believes the platform highlights the future of cloud-based technology.

The Future of Cloud Technology

The transformation in the cloud business according to the executive is somehow similar to the one that drove mobile app industry to the current level. “I’m convinced there’s a new architecture emerging,” said Mr. Schmidt.

Given the pace at which the cloud business is growing, it should lead to the formation of new powerhouse companies. Snapchat and Uber are some of the companies that have emerged from the growth of the mobile app industry.